The Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) has outlined plans to improve operational sustainability for neighbouring communities in Savannah and Brunswick as the driver of three federal grants totalling more than $120 million.
A $49.8 million Maritime Administration grant will reportedly help ensure uninterrupted power supply at the Port of Savannah’s Garden City Terminal.
The project will create an on-terminal electricity distribution network fed by GPA-owned generators and substations. The ability to more quickly restore power will protect temperature-controlled cargo such as food and medicine to minimise disruptions in the event of a natural disaster.
Georgia Ports Authority President and CEO Griff Lynch said a more resilient power supply is also key to a GPA initiative transitioning from diesel to electric-powered yard equipment. GPA will match the federal grant with $88.2 million.
Moreover, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has awarded GPA $48.7 million to provide shore power at a total of four berths, three in Savannah and one at the Port of Brunswick. GPA will match the grant with $5.4 million in local funding.
The new electrical infrastructure will help ocean carriers meet carbon reduction goals by shutting off engines at the dock. Plug-in power will provide an expected annual reduction of 13,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions per year, as well as a reduction of 250 tonnes of pollutants such as nitrogen oxides and particulate matter.
The EPA grant will also fund 16 new electric terminal jockey trucks and charging infrastructure. The electric trucks will replace older, diesel-powered models. Both measures will reduce emissions on terminals and for the surrounding neighbourhoods.
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“We are constantly looking for ways to be a good steward for our local communities near our ports in Savannah and Brunswick,” Lynch said.
“These federal grants will help us reduce the community impact of our ship, rail and truck traffic operations and emissions. We’d like to thank our federal partners for their role in supporting our plans to reduce our carbon footprint and strengthen our business resiliency.”
Board Chairman Kent Fountain highlighted the overpass the Authority is building at Ocean Terminal in Savannah which is now 60 per cent complete. It will take trucks from the port directly onto the interstate highway, avoiding local streets and reportedly providing more seamless access to inland markets.
“While the $29 million grade separation may have been more costly, the Georgia Ports Board chose this option to maintain the highest quality of life for our neighbours,” Fountain said.
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Additionally, the GPA has been awarded $26.5 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation to help construct Phase II of the Colonel’s Island Rail Improvements project at the Port of Brunswick. GPA and rail partner Genesee & Wyoming Inc. will match the grant with $27.6 million.
The funding will complete the build-out of a new railyard needed to handle the growing volume of automotive exports and imports moving through Brunswick, reportedly the second busiest RoRo port in the US.
Phase I of the Brunswick rail project, funded by GPA at $22 million, is now under construction. When both phases are complete, the expansion will add nearly 500,000 RoRo units of annual rail capacity, for a new total of approximately 700,000 units.
“Our customers have expressed interest in increased rail capacity for exports of autos and high and heavy machinery. This project is a win-win for all port stakeholders, reducing port impacts on the local community while delivering needed capacity for exports,” Lynch added.
Earlier this April, the GPA and Wallenius Wilhelmsen inked a 20-year terminal agreement to consolidate the company’s port and logistics activities at the Port of Brunswick.